3 sneaky Braves’ 2026 MLB trade deadline targets to chase

With the Atlanta Braves winning in exciting ways and piling up wins, it’s no surprise they have been linked with big names on the trade market. But they could also surprise with these three sneaky Braves’ 2026 MLB trade deadline targets to chase.

More than any other club so far, the Braves have been the surprise team in Major League Baseball. They were written off in the preseason as injuries ravaged their pitching staff. However, Chris Sale, Bryce Elder, and Grant Holmes have combined for 24 quality starts. And the bullpen has been solid.

However, Spencer Strider got hit by another injury. Still, the Braves hope to get Spencer Schwellenbach and AJ Smith-Shawver back on the mound before the postseason begins.

All things considered, though, the Braves need to add at least one starting pitcher. And they need to add at least one bat to the lineup — even if Ronald Acuna Jr. gets back and can stay on the field.

Of course, if they get Tarik Skubal, that’s the best path toward a World Series appearance. But maybe there’s a less-expensive way.

SP Sonny Gray, Red Sox

This is a good way to go for the Braves if they can’t land Skubal. Gray is one of those consistent guys who simply wins games. Over the past two seasons, he won 27 times. His ERA was a little on the high side at 3.84 and 4.28, but he turned in a lot of quality performances.

Plus, he has strikeout stuff with over 200 in both 2024 and 2025. His strikeouts have been down this year, with only 55 in 69 1/3 innings. But his ERA is strong at 3.12. And his WHIP is solid at 1.183.

And Gray is winning again. Even though the Red Sox are 31-45, Gray has posted a mark of 8-1.

Another benefit of trading for Gray is playoff hunger. He appeared in the postseason with the Athletics back in 2013, turning in two good starts. With the Yankees in 2017, he was effective as well. And with the Twins in 2023, he got his first playoff win.

But that’s not a lot of playoff history. And at age 36, Gray might not have many opportunities remaining. He’s the type of veteran guy the Braves could feel comfortable sending to the mound in October.

And Gray seems to be open to a deadline trade that would put him in the rotation of a contending team, according to the Boston Globe via the New York Post.

“If someone came to me from the Red Sox and made a decision that that’s the direction that this team was going to go, I would be open for a conversation,” Gray said. “Whatever happens from then, only time will tell. But I would be open for a conversation.

“Having the ability to be in control of your own situation is very, I feel like, earned. In my experience, it always starts with just a conversation.”

The Braves shouldn’t have to give up too much to get Gray because of his age. That’s another bonus of looking his way.

SP Casey Mize, Tigers

If the Braves wanted a little bit younger arm, Mize might fit the bill. He’s having a solid season despite his 2-4 record. He has an ERA of 2.58, a WHIP of 1.013, and he’s averaging right at one strikeout per inning. Also, he has avoided the long ball, allowing just three all season.

There’s a pretty good chance the Tigers will move Mize, according to ESPN. And Mize could deliver a big impact despite injury concerns.

“(Mize) twice has landed on the injured list with the same soft-tissue injury (strained groin),” Buster Olney wrote. “It also reflects what Mize did in his previous nine starts: post a 2.27 ERA with peripherals to back it up. Mize isn’t popping any models with his stuff, and his minuscule home run rate is destined to regress. But he strikes guys out, and his contract will be barely $2 million for the remainder of the season.”

It’s not about overpowering stuff for Mize. But he has tools in his arsenal.

“His fastball velocity is the lowest of his big league career, but he has four above-average pitches (fastball, cutter, sweeper, splitter) that are all performing (via runs value) as at least average pitches,” Olney wrote. “The improvement this year was limiting damage on his fastball/splitter (by staying on the fringes of the zone) and juicing whiffs on the cutter (by tunneling with the fastball).”

Again, the Braves wouldn’t have to break the farm-system bank to get Mize.

SS Jeremy Pena, Astros

Of all the Braves’ hopes, getting Pena might make the most sense. He can be an impact bat, and the Braves haven’t exactly been great from the shortstop position.

Also, Pena brings a steady glove. This would be a win for the Braves if they can find a way to make it work.

“Pena has always been a plus defender at shortstop with a strong power/speed combo, but his feel for hitting and pitch selection comes and goes,” Olney wrote. “He made the most of Daikin Park’s Crawford Boxes by leaning into power and pull/lift, and his 2025 baseball card stats ran hot with better-than-you’d-expect outcomes on balls in play, fueling a 5.7 WAR season. Expect more years in line with his other WAR figures (2.7 to 3.3) for the next few seasons.”

But in terms of pure numbers, the Braves can expect above-average power production from the position he plays. Pena hit 17 homers last season with a rock-solid .304 batting average.

This year, he has been limited by injuries. But he still has six homers in 177 at-bats. His batting average (.286) and on-base percentage (.345) are solid.

However, the biggest question about Pena right now is his hamstring issue. It has been described as a cramp, according to MLB.com.

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